Big Bite on Pitt, Sandwiches, Sydney

Big Bite on Pitt

250 Pitt St Sydney

Mon- Fri

Lunch only

This place is tiny but everything else about it is big. The sandwiches are HUGE. The line is huge. The wait can take up half your lunch break. But is it worth it? I think so.

I came here with two friends on Wednesday during peak hour at 1pm. The one who brought us to the place raved about it having the best sandwiches. Ever. I think its better than little vienna and it has the same concept- massive sandwiches around $9-$10 all freshly made. But I think the sandwiches are so good because the place is run by an italian (greek?) family where as Little Vienna is franchised/branched out.

Chicken Schnitzel sandwich

%20

Big hey? A 185cm big guy couldnt finish this (haha =p)

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

I ordered this one and it was awesome. I think they use lemon olive oil on the bread and YUMMM it goes perfectly with the grilled chicken. Also theres a tiny bit of tabouli which gives it a fresh herby taste, but not too much to overpower the chicken.

I ate half and was going to keep the other half for afternoon tea but decided 'what the hell' and kept eating. I failed. Miserably. I ate another quarter and didn't even try eating the other quarter for afternoon tea, I was that full. But very satisfied. Next time I think I will go with a friend and share half a sandwich.. an entire one is just too much for a girl like me =p

Also! In case any one else does their dry cleaning in the city, I noticed the dry cleaners across this cafe had just opened up and were doing a 5 shirts for $12 opening special.

Definitely a place to try if you have a sandwich craving. I also recommend you get here early.. we waited about 20-25 minutes in the line and for the food. But it was worth it :)

Sunflower Taiwanese Gourmet, Taiwanese, Ultimo

Sunflower Taiwanese Gourmet

147 George Street Broadway

9211 5298

cash only

I stumbled across this restaurant about two months ago. I normally avoid Taiwanese food because I find it too oily and the taste a little repetitive but this place is different. I think its one of the better Taiwanese restaurants in Sydney. The place had this undeniable Japanese twist. Firstly, like most Jap restaurants, Sunflower's windows are filled with plates of glistening plastic food. (drool) Secondly the restaurant is also a 'crepe cafe' and serves dessert & savoury crepes. How many taiwanese restaurants do that?

The place is packed with people all wanting a cheap and yummy feed. Don't worry, the restaurant is not full of UTS students. Its actually a good mix of locals and students and the adventurous Caucasian.

Marinated Chicken with rice, side veges, pumpkin and tea egg.

When I ordered this I asked the dumbest question. 'Hi, Is the chicken Hainanese marinated chicken?" The waitress looked at me like I was crazy. Haha, so my friends.. No. The chicken is not hainanese marinated chicken. Its a bit soy sauce ginger ish, the type your mum would make. Anyways... YUM. This was good. I ate the plate clean (and wish I ordered another one sigh)

Sunflower Special Beef Noodles Soup

I only got a tiny taste of this one because the bf was hungry and was being stingy in sharing >=(. Yes I'm looking at you hun. For a reason though.. for beef noodle soup this was pretty damn good. The soup was flavoursome and rich and the noodles were perfectly cooked. I only wish there was more noodles :( The bowl is huge but mostly soup really. Yum though.

We were really hungry so we actually ordered the steamed dumplings.. and ate them without taking a photo sigh.

Verdict- Definitely recommended if you're after lunch/dinner under $10

Mappen, Japanese Udon, Townhall

Mappen

(Part of the Menya chain)
Shop 11, 551 George Street

http://menya.com.au/mappen/index.html

Japanese style fast food- freshly cooked deliciously chewy udon with self serve toppings.

The Japanese are experts when it comes to convenience. If you love a quick, easy and cheap feed- definitely try Mappen. Mappen is the udon version of Menya, a very popular ramen chain around the city. Its cheap (approx $5 for a base udon, and $1.5-$3 for additional tempura toppings) the average meal is under $10.

You choose your base and then the toppings...

The vegetable tempura ($2.8) is really good but definitely share this as if you try eating this alone it gets sort of sickly after a while. The chicken breast tempura is also very yummy! Try to get the tempura when they are freshly cooked as its nice and crispy and doesnt have that soaked oily taste.

Beef udon ($6.90) with vegetable tempura ($2.80), chicken breast tempura ($1.80) and seaweed side (80cents)

This was very yummy. I love how you can get your own toppings. This is definitely the place for picky people who like certain things and would normally omit/add certain things in their normal meals- ie. I always get extra coriander with my vietnamese pho haha.

Ontama Bukkake

The first time I had this I didnt really like it, but the second time I really enjoyed it. This is sort of a dry udon with soft boiled egg and lemon and surprisingly, it goes really well. They give you a little bit of udon soup with the udon but most of the flavour comes from the gooey egg and the lemon and its actually a nice refreshing taste. Give it a try but if it does sound strange, try the kake which is the normal soup udon.

I'll recommend it if you're in a rush or want something cheap to eat before a big night out. If you're looking for a place to chat, this isnt really suitable because theres always long lines and people wanting your seat.

White iced chocolate, The Chocolate Room

The Chocolate Room is an easy place to go for a drink/place to chill. The iced chocolates are fairly good but slightly pricey at $8.50. But then again, you're not just paying for the drink, you're paying for the nice plush seats and the quiet environment.

Crossroads Bar, Swiss Fondue

Crossroads Bar

The Swissotel Sydney

Swiss Fondue Promotion- $27 per person

Swissotel Sydney,

Market Street Sydney

92387082

Bookings advised

Crossroads Bar is located on level eight. The lush surroundings are the ideal place to relax over high tea or a few drinks. The Crossroads Bar is also an ideal meeting place to catch up with colleagues or friends

To celebrate the boy's birthday, I took him to the Swissotel for the ultimate protein feast. Boys listen and weep. Cheese, cheese, cheese, more cheese, some sausages, pickles and lots of crunchy bread. Okay so maybe bread isn't really a protein food BUT it soaks up the cheese so its actually super cheesy bread.

Crossroads Bar on level 8 at the Swissotel is currently doing fondue but note that fondue isn't on the menu all year. You should book because it takes the kitchen quite some time to get the fondue and fondue condiments ready.

Fondue Forks

The fondue condiments

Swiss Sausages

Crunchy sesame topped bread. Very generous serving

Roasted potatoes

Gerkins and picked onions. Very good when dipped in cheese

The cheese

This was the first time I've tried cheese fondue and I absolutely loved it. The cheese was really good and everything went so well with the cheese. Cheesy goodness! Definitely a must try for all fondue-virgins.

Est March into Merivale 2011

Est

http://www.merivale.com/#/establishment/est

Level 1, 252 George St Sydney

Bookings absolutely essential

Since 2003 Est has been the recipient of the highly acclaimed SMH Good Food Guide 3 hats. I have been dying to go to this place and since Merivale is running their 'March into Merivale' promotion- What better time to go?

I had booked a table of 7 for lunch about a month early. Hint: Like Quay and other fine dining restaurants, est charges 10% 'service charge' fee if you have 8 or more people. Personally I dont see why- bigger tables tend to receive less service- not more.

March Into Merivale

You have a number of options- 1 course $33, 2courses $50 and 3courses $65 (all w beer/champagne/wine)

Entrees:

Pretty much everyone in the group ordered the white seared scallops as an entree. They were beautiful.

Mains

1) Crisp Skin Palmed Mulloway, grilled belgian endive agro dolce. Very good but sadly also very small.

2) Soy glazed beef fillet, sesame, grated apple & radish. definitely recommended. If you are trying out the march into merivale est promotion, you have to try this. Its really good

The restaurant is very beautiful. In the centre of the restaurant there are these great white greek/roman columns and it gives the place a very elegant feel.

Subsolo

Subsolo Restaurant

www.subsolo.com.au

161 King Street Sydney

Very cool spanish tapas & wine bar.

Drinks are a must have.

Sangria. This was quite strong for a sangria.

Manzanilla Martini:

Tapas:

1) Trio of Garlic Mushrooms. I loved this! It has an exotic mix of mushrooms. yum.

2) Paprika Salt & Pepper Squid with Saffron Mayonnaise. A bit too oily.

3) Chicken Chorizos

4) Spanish Meatballs filled with cheese

Mains:

For mains we actually ordered the rump skewers and the chicken skewers or espetadas but they were so good that alas..I only remembered to take a photo after our group had demolished the food. The skewers actually come with 3 sides- potato bravavas, side salad and vegetables. One skewer is easily enough for 2 people to share.

The chicken skewer or espedata was definitely the highlight of the meal. It was tender, juicy, flavoursome and lovingly charcoaled.

Assiette, French, Fine Dining

Assiette Restaurant,

French & Fine Dining

http://www.restaurantassiette.com.au/

48 Albion Street Surry Hills

9212 7979

Nestled deep in the bustling heart of Surry Hills, Restaurant Assiette provides an intimate and stylish haven for foodies, gourmands and casual diners alike; a sanctuary to relax and enjoy the best food and wine with a modern French twist.

If you're a foodie like me, then you must have read in the news that Becasse will be relocating to the Sydney Westfield on Pitt Street. This is very sad news for me. First of all, I've never once ventured into Becasse, so I guess I'll never get a chance try out the Clarence Street establishment. Secondly, Plan B will be changing and this may be the end of its famous wagyu burgers. But I guess at least I've dined in a restaurant that once held Becasse.

Assiette:

Assiette is the type of place you would want to go if you have an anniversary to celebrate, a special date or just when you want to wowed over by gorgeous food.

They have a degustation menu for $99, which is extremely good for a two hatted restaurant. Our group chose to have the a la carte menu as we were not very hungry.

Starter- Pumpkin & leek soup

Entrees:

1) Cured Marlborough salmon with prawn peignets, pink grapefruit, mandarin and fennel

My friend who ordered this said it was delicious.

2) Terrine of duck and foie gras with cured duck breast, raisins and caramelised peach

This entree was probably the wrong choice for me. It was too meaty, too strong and too heavy for my tastes. The foie gras was also extremely fatty and didnt actually have much taste to it. However the caramelised peach was sweet and juicy and matched the duck breast perfectly.

I apologise for the photo quality- the restaurant was very dim.

Mains:

1) Mushroom crusted veal fillet with cepe spaetzle, asparagus, dashi jelly and mushroom emulsion.

Cepe spaetzle? I have no idea what this is but I hear its very good

2) Pan fried dory with seared scallop, onion bhaji, cauliflower puree and mango chutney

I love scallops and I loved this dish. I couldnt really taste the mango chutney (which I think is a good thing)

Overall I enjoyed the experience and recommend Assiette.

Altitude

Altitude Restaurant

http://www.36levelsabove.com.au/

Perched above Sydney's spectacular harbour at the top of the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, Altitude Restaurant is among the city's most iconic dining experience.

The views from this restaurant is just breathtaking at night. Imaging the sydney harbour bridge as the backdrop of your dinner party.

We had the four course dinner menu at $120 per person.

And of course, our meal was accompanied by an assortment of cutlery.

Complimentary Bread. Thankfully Altitude doesnt serve tiny servings so our group didnt need two servings of bread.

Freshly shucked Sydney Rock and Pacific oysters

Mains:

Pan Roasted crispy skim Mulloway Cod

Blackmore wagyu beef pithvier

Palate Cleanser

Desserts

Petit Fours

A very enjoyable experience.